10th - 19 February 2012

10 Days - 8 Nights ~ From £2,124

Frankincense has been traded from Oman in the southern Arabian Peninsula for more than 5000 years, and was one of the ancient world’s most precious commodities. Given to the infant Jesus, this sacred incense is inextricably entwined in Omani history, and the tour reflects its importance to this once powerful sea-faring nation whose dhows exported it as far as south-east Asia.

The finest frankincense in the world still comes from Oman and this journey takes the traveller to some of the most ancient and fascinating places in the Sultanate linked to the incense.

The tour, led by Juliet Highet, an internationally acclaimed expert on frankincense, will be a journey of discovery and delight, following in the footsteps of the ancient caravan routes and gaining an understanding of how and why, from its source in a scraggy little tree, frankincense became so expensive and famous!

London • Muscat • Salalah • Ubar • Wadi Dhowkah • Taqa • Sumhuram • Mirbat • Ain Humran • Muscat • Nizwa • Bahla • Jabrin Castle • Muscat • London

Juliet Highet

Juliet’s roots were originally in photography, and, as a photo-journalist, used her skills to cover both the Nigerian Civil War and the contemporary art scene in the country. Apart from living in India, and East and West Africa, Juliet has travelled to 52 countries. Once returning to the United Kingdom, she began editing books and magazines.

For 40 years, Juliet has promoted the cultures of Arabia, Asia and Africa, with a special interest in their philosophical and cultural dimensions. She has become a specialist in Middle Eastern heritage and contemporary culture. Her recently published book FRANKINCENSE: Oman’s Gift to the World, sold out. Another book series, The Art of Travel, (in a select group of countries), is proposed.

Juliet has written extensively on travel, fine and performing arts, design, antiques, personalities, sociology, food, fine wines, perfumery and complementary health. She also has edited art and lifestyle books for Collins and Macmillan. Juliet has curated art exhibitions, worked in arts PR, given talks and presentations using her text and photography, and taught photography in art schools.

A mother of two, she has been practising Siddha Yoga meditation for 34 years.

The Itinerary:

Day 1 To Muscat

Evening depart from London Heathrow on direct Oman Air flight to Muscat.

Day 2 Muscat – Spa treatment and Sunset Cruise

Day to relax and unwind at the hotel with a Frankincense and Rose Spa treatment, followed by a walk around the hotel looking at the contemporary art images which include frankincense culture. Finally end the day with a Sunset Dhow Cruise. Two nights at Shangri-la Al Bandar Hotel.

Day 3 Morning and afternoon excursions – Secrets of Frankincense

Learn the secrets of distillation of the frankincense oil from resin crystals and the process of perfume-making at the prestigious Amouage perfume factory. Later visit a perfume/aatr shop for an introduction into modern Arab perfume culture. Return to the hotel for lunch. Late afternoon drive to the Muttrah Souq perhaps to bargain for elaborate silver and glass frankincense burners or antiquarian prints of Oman – en route stop to see the giant concrete frankincense burner on the picturesque Corniche, with its delightful old merchants’ houses.

Day 4 To Salalah. Afternoon Museum visit

Transfer to the airport for internal flight to Salalah, the capital of the Dhofar region. Afternoon visit to the Museum of the Frankincense Land, with its fascinating exhibition depicting the ‘Frankincense Trail History of the Sultanate’ and the country’s intriguing maritime history. The Museum is part of the Al Balid archaeological complex. Tour the site in a golf buggy. The port was once a major exporter of frankincense. Later visit the Al Hosn souk, the best place in Oman to buy this precious commodity. Also stop at the Haffah and New souks for shopping and photo opportunities. Three nights at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 5 Full day excursion to Ubar with Sand Dune Drive

Drive to the ‘Groves of Boswellia Sacra’ to see the frankincense trees and watch the harvesting of the resin crystals. Then go north to the Qara Mountains for spectacular views of the Salalah plains and the sea beyond. Continue on to the village of Shisr and the ‘Lost City of Ubar’, where more than two millennia ago caravans carrying frankincense and myrrh would halt. Lunch in a desert camp. Afternoon: an exhilarating sand dune drive in the dunes of the Empty Quarter, following one of the frankincense routes to Egypt. En route back to Salalah stop at The Frankincense National Park of Wadi Dhowkah a UNESCO World heritage site also known as the Frankincense Wadi - a spectacular river gorge with a small archaeological site.

Day 6 Full day excursion to Taqa, Sumhuram, Mirbat and Ain Humran

Drive today towards the east of the region to Taqa, a charming fishing village and watch a demonstration of painting pottery censers. Then visit the impressive ruins at Sumhuram giving an insight into Arabian life more than 2000 years ago. Close by, the beautiful bay of Khor Rhori was an important trading centre and a major export centre of frankincense. Next visit Mirbat, a former capital of Dhofar, now a picturesque fishing village, famous for its old merchant houses built in traditional Omani style. After lunch drive to Sad’h, to visit the old fort with reliefs of ocean-going dhows. See atmospheric old houses and caves once used to store frankincense. Finally en route back to Salalah stop at Ain Humran, a World Heritage Site, with views north to mountains through which caravans took frankincense on another fabled Frankincense route to northern Arabia.

Day 7 To Muscat

Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Muscat. Three nights at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 8 Full day tour to Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin Castle

En route to Oman’s former capital, the oasis town of Nizwa, drive through the Jebel Akhdar Mountains, via atmospheric villages, fruit and flower orchards all clinging to the slopes. Visit Nizwa Souq, a treasure trove for antiques, and its intriguing Fort, still standing guard over the old frankincense route from the south to the north, crossing the mountain ranges. After lunch, continue on to Bahla, one of the oldest small towns of Oman, famed for its pottery and magnificent fort. Finally before returning to Muscat visit the first caravanserai on the northern edge of the Empty Quarter at the elegant, elaborately decorated Jabrin Castle.

Day 9 At leisure

Day to relax in the hotel’s grounds or take optional tours to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent in the Middle East and/or the Bait Al Zubair Museum. At the Museum explore the wealth and power of Omani history and the recreation of an old Omani village. Also visit the Bait Muzna Gallery, selling antiques, crafts, books, contemporary Omani art and frankincense products.

Day 10 To London

Morning check out then transfer to the International Airport for direct flight to London Heathrow on Oman Air.

The Cost:

Per Person sharing twin or double room accommodation £ 2,124.00*

Single Room supplement £ 886.00

Khasab Extension

Per Person sharing a twin or double room accommodation  £ 670.00

Single room supplement                                                  £ 186.00

*Business class supplement on Oman air is available on request

If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you a land only cost for the holiday.

The Cost Includes:

Cost does not include:

For Bookings and Enquiries: please call 020 8901 7320 or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it